NATIONAL CHAMPS.NET
Coach: Joe Tiller
25-12, 3 years
62-42-1, 8 years overall
1999 Record: 7-5
Sep 04 @Central Florida Won 47-13
Sep 11 Notre Dame Won 28-23
Sep 18 Central Michigan Won 58-16
Sep 25 Northwestern Won 31-23
Oct 02 @Michigan Lost 12-38
Oct 09 @Ohio State Lost 22-25
Oct 16 Michigan State Won 52-28
Oct 23 Penn State Lost 25-31
Oct 30 @Minnesota Won 33-28
Nov 06 Wisconsin Lost 21-28
Nov 20 @Indiana Won 30-24
Outback Bowl
Jan 01 Georgia Lost 25-28
1999 Final Rankings
AP-25, BCS-NR, Coaches-NR
2000 Outlook

Even with Drew Brees throwing for over 10,000 yards for his career and breaking most Purdue records at QB, a shot at playing for a national championship through a Big Ten schedule doesn't exist. But a shot at the Rose Bowl certainly does. A major key to that equation will be how quickly a pass defense can develope. Brees may need to score everytime to keep foes from doing the same through the air. The Boilermakers also finished last in penalties in the conference in 1999 and needs to overcome mental mistakes as well as an inaccurate kicking game that cost Purdue close ballgames. Drew Brees is the man to beat for the Heisman Race, but it will also be a key that wide receiver Vinny Sutherland line up for the fall. He could be one of the Big Ten's best and gives Brees a deep threat. Coach Joe Tiller will use a good line and backfield to run the ball while trying to keep defensive opponents off balance. With all of the Big Ten powerhouses on the schedule in 2000, Purdue fans will be treated to some nail-biters each and every week.
Projected Record: 9-3.

Purdue 2000 Schedule

PURDUE
*POWER RATINGS
Offense
Defense
QB - 5 DL - 3.5
RB - 3 LB - 3
WR - 3 DB - 2
OL - 4.5  

 

 



PURDUE BOILERMAKERS
2000 PRESEASON PREVIEW

2000 OFFENSE
Strengths: 8,124 yards, 64 touchdowns, 717 of 1166 attempts, and QB Drew Brees returns for more his senior year. Purdue will certainly find some notches in the win column with the 1999 Heisman invite running the offense. One of Drew's main targets will be Big Ten leading punt returner Vinny Sutherland at wide receiver. Tight End Tim Stratton will also play a major role in the passing scheme as he recorded 49 receptions in '99 with a 12 yard per catch average. Including Stratton, the offensive line returns five of six starting offensive lineman and should be well experienced in providing protection for Brees in the pocket. The running game should be solid with sophmore Montrell Lowe and Sedrick Brown returning to the one back set as Purdue finished with a 4.0 yards per carry average last season. A stat better than conference power rushers Michigan and Michigan State. Purdue finished #1 in Big Ten total offense last year.
Weaknesses: Gone is the conference leading receiver Chris Daniels as well as the team's 2nd leading receiver Randall Lane and 12 game player Robert Tolbert. Depth and experience at wide receiver will be the main concern for the 2000 season. If a few injuries occur Coach Tiller may have a difficult time imploring the three wide receiver set. Even though the starting offensive line is back, the spring will be very important for locating some depth behind them. Center Jim Niedrach was a big loss and it will be key to find a replacement snapper for Drew. Hopes are Chukki Okobi can move from guard to center to fill Jim's shoes. The kicking game has been inconsistent to say the least. Kicker Travis Dorsch must find the uprights more as fans witnessing the Outback Bowl will attest.
OFFENSIVE DEPTH CHART
QB Drew Brees 6-1 220 Sr. David Edgerton 6-1 218 Sr.
RB Montrell Lowe 5-8 189 So. Sedrick Brown 6-1 223 So.
WR Vinny Sutherland 5-9 191 Sr.   Donald Winston 5-6 162 Sr.
WR Chris James 5-10 165 So.   Keith Dawson 6-3 194 Sr.
WR A.T. Simpson 6-4 216 Jr.   Gary Heaggans 6-2 185 Fr.
T Matt Light 6-5 296 Sr.   Kelly Kitchel 6-6 285 So.
G Gene Mruczkowski 6-2 299 So.   Josh Kirkpatrick 6-0 276 Jr.
C Chukky Okobi 6-1 324 Sr.   Sean Rufalo 6-2 274 Jr.
G Rob Turner 6-4 298 So.   Max Miller 6-3 264 So.
T Brandon Gorin 6-6 296 Sr.   Ian Allen 6-5 289 Sr.
TE Tim Stratton 6-4 252 Jr.   Chris Randolph 6-4 255 Jr.
K Travis Dorsch 6-6 219 Jr.   Scott Kurz 6-0 189 Jr.
Returning starters in bold.

Key Losses: Chris Daniels-WR, Robert Tolbert-WR, Randall Lane-WR, Cliff Jackson-WR, Aaron Starnes-OL, Jim Niedrach-C, J. Crabtree-RB


2000 DEFENSE
Strengths: Junior College transfer Akin Ayodele reeked havoc last season on opponents as he led the team with 10.5 sacks from the defensive end position. Ayodele will have a target on his chest but with starters Brian Dinkins, Matt Mitrione and also a good nucleus of backups and talented redshirt freshman returning the line should be the strongest defensive asset. The Boilermaker's third leading tackler Jason Loerzel returns at linebacker. Hopes are redshirt sophmore Joe Odom can solidify the middle linebacker slot or possibly move to the weak side after a great game there in the Outback Bowl as he played in all 12 games and recorded 41 tackles in 1999.
Weaknesses: With DB James Dunnigan struggling with grades only one true starter returns to the defensive backfield that finished last in the Big Ten in pass defense from a year ago. DB Chris Clopton played a major role in '99 and will be needed to fill in for the losses of Michael Hawthorne, Lamar Conard, and team interception leader Adrian Beasley. It would also help if DB Ben Smith can recover from knee surgery. The linebackers also find itself a little thin with seniors Ray Lee, Mike Rose, and leading tackler Willie Fells, who finished with 96 tackles, departing. Overall, there is some major questions concerning team speed and Purdue's inability to cover the deep pass. The backfield will need some serious reconstrution to see Purdue make a run for the Roses.
DEFENSIVE DEPTH CHART
DE Brian Dinkins 6-2 263 Sr. Warren Moore 6-3 253 Sr.
DT Matt Mitrione 6-3 289 Jr. Rocco Foggio 6-4 288 Sr.
DT Derrick Williams 6-4 296 Sr.   Brent Botts 6-3 267 Sr.
DE Akin Ayodele 6-2 250 Jr.   Shaun Phillips 6-3 222 So.
OLB Tim Upshur 6-1 219 Jr.   Daniel Giles 6-1 253 So.
MLB Joe Odom 6-2 231 So.   Alex Tone 5-10 210 So.
OLB Jason Loerzel 6-3 216 Jr.   Cornell Middlebrook 6-2 229 So.
CB Ashante Woodyard 6-1 196 Sr.   R'Kes Starling 5-7 175 Jr.
CB Chris Clopton 5-7 170 Sr.   Stuart Schweigert 6-3 195 Fr.
SS Ralph Turner 6-2 208 So.   Antoine Neal 5-10 199 Sr.
FS Ben Smith 6-3 208 Jr.   Brady Doe 6-0 189 Jr.
P Scott Kurz 6-0 189 Jr.          
Returning starters in bold.

Key Losses: David Nugent-DT, Willie Fells-LB, Ray Lee-LB, Mike Rose-LB, Michael Hawthorne-DB, Lamar Conard-DB, Adrian Beasley-DB